Jammu, Feb 18 (KNS): Ace Wushuist Bhanu Pratap Singh and Handballer Harmeek Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police made the Nation proud when the duo helped India to finish overall champions of South Asian Games (SAG) held in Guwahati and Shillong from 5th to 16th of this month.
The South Asian Games are the regional Games of the Olympic Council of Asia, in which athletes of South Asian countries participate. They were first hosted by Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1984. This year a total of eight nations including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka competed in 23 sports disciplines held during the mega event.
Bhanu inked history after he defeated his Sri Lankan counterpart to clinch gold and become first Wushuist from the State to achieve this feat. Earlier, he outplayed his rivals from Afghanistan and Pakistan to make a place in finals and semis respectively.
Last year, Bhanu bagged Bronze in World Wushu Championship held in Indonesia and 5th Pars cup held in Iran. He also bagged a gold medal in National games held in Kerala earlier this year.
Harmeek sigh remained an active playing member of the Indian Handball team that outplayed arch rivals Pakistan to finish with gold in the final encounter at South Asian Games. He had been selected for the coaching camp at Ghandinagar in Gujrat where from he was able to reserve his berth for the South Asian Games.
From Jammu and Kashmir, Bhanu Pratap and Harmeek Singh were the only players to represent India in South Asian Games held this year.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
On their arrival at Jammu, ADGP Armed S. M. Sahai joined Senior Superintendent of Police Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Sports officer J&K Police Kuldeep Handoo and officers and players of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police including accorded a warm and rousing reception to the medallists.
While felicitating the medallists, Sahai said that it is a proud moment for J&K Police as its players have brought laurels not only to the organisation and State but the country as well. He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has been at the forefront in promotion of sports by providing diverse platforms to players across the state.
Sahai said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has taken up issues of availing various schemes of Government of India (GOI) aimed at promotion of sports in the State with Sport Authority of India (SAI).
He said that we are also organising coaching camps to promote different sports in the State. “J&K Police regularly organises Civic Action Programmes (CAPs) to provide platforms to youth of the State to showcase their talent. We also provide transport facilities, logistic and technical support to different universities, colleges, sports associations, J&K youth services and Sports and State Sports council for promotion of sports and carrying out their respective events aimed to promote and nourish sports culture in the State”, he added. (KNS)